Marilyn Soland

Marilyn Inez Soland, 83, of Rural Lanesboro died on Monday, June 3rd 2024 at the Good Shephard Care Center in Rushford, MN.  

Marilyn was born Marilyn Inez Johns to Alma Rue Johns and Donald (Jake) Johns, Sr on July 20th, 1940.  She attended Peterson School and graduated in 1958.  

On October 14, 1960 she married Ilot Soland in Peterson, MN.  Marilyn was a hard working farm wife, not afraid to feed and milk cows, work the fields along with cooking and baking.  She also had a full time career throughout her life as an administrative assistant in a variety of organizations; Miller Felpax in Winona ; Fillmore Co Social Services and Fillmore Co Assessor in Preston ; St Anne’s organization in Winona  and SEMCAC in Rushford.  

Marilyn was a very social individual and had multiple talents.  She was a member of the Sweet Adelines for many years and coordinated contests, concerts, and parade appearances.  She also sang in church choirs, cantatas, and was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church for many years and more recently Elstad Lutheran Church.  Marilyn was also known for her cooking and baking along with her passion for gardening.   One of her favorite things to do for family and friends was to cook a meal or give you cookies or poppy seed bread.   She had so many friends around the area – some very special friends for decades.  She treasured every minute spent with them.  She also greatly enjoyed her neighbors and all the bonus grandchildren she had.  She would light up talking about them all.  

Later in life she found the true love of her life in Stan Mann.  They had several amazing years together enjoying each others company, traveling across the country, having dinners with friends, etc.  One of her happiest moments was when he proposed.  Sadly, he passed before they could have the wedding he dreamed of.  But she continued to be an active part of his family’s life and considered Stan’s children and grandchildren to be her own.  

Marilyn is survived by one daughter, Meg (Ken) Hall of Littleton, CO; 2 grandchildren – Betheny (Chima) Nwachukwu of Plymouth, MN and Patrick (Frances) Johnson of Fergus Falls, one great grandaughter, Eliana of Plymouth and a bonus great grandaughter Camila   of Fergus Falls, MN;  sisters-  Barbara Hatlevig of rural Winona, MN; Jolaine Bowman of Plato, MN; and one brother Donald (Buster) Johns, Jr of Winona, MN; and one brother- in-     law Rick Buddin of Englewood, CO.    She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and her bonus sons– David (Chris) Gudmundson of rural Lanesboro, Robby (Ann) Mann of Louisville, CO, Craig (Jennifer) Mann of Rochester, MN and bonus daughter- Kelly (David) Shand of Goodridge, MN.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband Ilot Soland, her parents, one sister Bonnie Buddin, her Fiancé’ Stan Mann, and two brothers- in-law – Donald Hatlevig and Robin Bowman and many aunts, uncles, and close friends.  

Visitation is planned for Friday, July 12th   from 4pm – 7pm  at Riley/Hoff Funeral Home in Lanesboro and a Memorial Service/Celebration of life will be held on July 13th  1:00pm at  Elstad Lutheran Church, rural Lanesboro.

Memorials given will be split between Elstad Church and Good Shephard.  

Please mail cards to: Meg Hall. 2994 W Long Dr. Apt C. Littleton, CO 80120